We have proofs regarding this Meaning (Ma‘nā) that, were we to mention them, the explanation would be long and the time would be occupied away from what we wish to begin mentioning."

The King said: "Speak of what you need to mention."

My Master said: "The King—may Allah prolong his life—knows the state for which we intended him and the reason that necessitated our travel to these lands. Although we have received from the King what we did not hope for and reached from him what we did not estimate—and we have succeeded by what we heard from him of great benefits and momentous matters—nonetheless, we hope through his blessing, favor, happiness, and grace to reach that for which we set out."

The King said: "I have known from the letter of my two companions, Ibrahim ibn Muhammad ibn al-Tamimi the Perfumer, the state you seek and the matter you attempt. Even if I and everyone on earth gathered to reach what you two wish to reach, we would not be able to, nor would we attain it. I have not known anyone to seek the matter you seek, nor have we seen in our time anyone come to us from the lands of any People with the like of it. We do not know by which path he left, nor from which place he traveled. We have not heard, even from behind the Encompassing Mountain (al-Jabal al-Muḥīṭ), of a scholar intended or a path to be trodden.

I hold you both too high to seek a matter you cannot reach or to exceed a state you are not capable of. Yet I am concerned for you, not doubting, for I know you speak nothing but the truth. Therefore, you must explain your account, O Abu Abd Allah, just as I explained about my companions."

At that moment, my Master narrated the account of his meeting with the man he encountered, who informed him of the affairs of the People and what they are upon, and told him of the dream he had seen. When the King heard this and the speech was completed, he said: "Indeed, Allah, Exalted Glory, does what He wills and decrees what He intends;